| − | Ater and his second wife, the former Susie Beard (born 1958), a pharmacist originally from Vidalia, live on Lake St. John near Ferriday. He has three children, one, Whitney Lauren Ater (born 1978) in [[California]] from his first marriage; and, with Susie, Thomas Alan (born 1987), and Elliott Andrew Ater (born 1989). Thomas manages the family farming operation while Elliott attended college. | + | Ater and his second wife, the former Susie Beard (born 1958), a pharmacist originally from Vidalia, live on Lake St. John near Ferriday. From a first marriage, he has a daughter, Whitney Lauren Ater (born 1978) of [[California]]. From his second marriage, he has two sons, Thomas Alan (born 1987), and Elliott Andrew Ater (born 1989). Thomas manages the family farming operation while Elliott attended college. |
| | Sam Hanna, Jr. (born 1969), son of the late publisher Samuel Andrew "Sam" Hanna, Sr. (1933-2006), commented on why Ater walked away from | | Sam Hanna, Jr. (born 1969), son of the late publisher Samuel Andrew "Sam" Hanna, Sr. (1933-2006), commented on why Ater walked away from |
| | In 2009, Ater was among inductees honored in the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame in Winnfield.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lapoliticalmuseum.com/inductees.php?viewID=64|title=Political Hall of Fame: Al Ater|accessdate=December 23, 2009}}</ref> | | In 2009, Ater was among inductees honored in the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame in Winnfield.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lapoliticalmuseum.com/inductees.php?viewID=64|title=Political Hall of Fame: Al Ater|accessdate=December 23, 2009}}</ref> |